diff --git a/.git-hooks/pre-push b/.git-hooks/pre-push
index acc504f..1913411 100755
--- a/.git-hooks/pre-push
+++ b/.git-hooks/pre-push
@@ -128,9 +128,9 @@ while read local_ref local_sha remote_ref remote_sha; do
         fi
 
         if [ "$is_binary" = true ]; then
-          file_text=$(strings "$file" 2>/dev/null)
+          file_text=$(strings "$file" 2>/dev/null || echo "")
         else
-          file_text=$(cat "$file" 2>/dev/null)
+          file_text=$(cat "$file" 2>/dev/null || echo "")
         fi
 
         # Check for hardcoded user paths.